If your kids are the types that have to be prised away from their iPad or games console, then you’re probably wondering how you’re going to get them outdoors this summer. It is strange to think that we grew up in an era that is completely alien to some kids these days. Going out and making dens, playing with skipping ropes, hopscotch and whatever else the great outdoors allowed. These days it can be difficult to get the kids outside for just an hour – ‘but Mum, I’m nearly at the next level on my game…’ etc.
If you’re looking for some extra inspiration on how to get the kids outdoors without having a full on war on your hands then here are some ideas you can try in the school holidays:
Football Camps – If you have a football fan in the house, you can probably find a fairly cheap camp nearby that will help them to develop new skills and have loads of fun. Any football fan will have a great time and be begging to go back the next day.
Scooter Competitions – The summer holidays are a great opportunity for whole families to participate in group exercise, under the ruse of competition. Kids like to win; to be crowned number one, and they also love owning new sporting equipment like scooters. Therefore, invest in some stunt scooters such as JD Bug Scooters, which can be found at www.skates.co.uk. JD Bug Scooters are ideal for kids due to their foldable nature and incredible durability, meaning they can be easily transports and will last for a few years. They also come with adjustable handlebars which are crucial for those children waiting for their growth spurt.
Once scooters are at hand, create a table to keeps scores on. Include rounds such as who can bunny hop the highest, who can perform the best fakie; moving towards the more complex tricks, such as who’s the quickest to master the nose pivot and 180.
Organize a mini-Olympics – Even if your kids aren’t big sports fans, a mini-Olympics can be massive fun. Get them to help you build a leaders’ board and a schedule of events. Make sure that you mix up the events to give everyone a good chance, so you could even have a baking competition where the best-dressed cake wins, card games and things like Twister. Depending on how receptive your kids are to the idea, you could even throw in some gardening chores or who can clean a window the best! Make sure you have a good prize to give the winners at the end – maybe they could choose what you have for your evening meal. This is also a great way for you to involve your kid’s friends, and other parents could return the favor by taking your children out for the day during the holidays.
Free parks – If you do your research you’ll be able to find a great park that has loads of free activities. You can sometimes find parks that have farms, huge play areas, and various games, meaning your kids won’t get bored. However, if they slowly tire, then remedy the situation by finding another free park with different activities for them to enjoy.